Sirsa on alert, emergency steps in place, bus services suspended

As Operation ‘Sindoor’ continues, tension between India and Pakistan has sharply increased, especially near the border regions.

Due to the rising threat, the Punjab and Rajasthan borders adjoining Haryana have been placed on high alert. In response to the sensitive situation, the Sirsa Roadways Department has taken precautionary steps to ensure public safety and avoid any unwanted incidents.

Sudhir Kumar, Traffic Manager of Sirsa Roadways, confirmed that bus services from Sirsa to several important destinations have been suspended. These include routes to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, Fazilka in Punjab and Jodhpur and Pokhran in Rajasthan. These routes previously had regular daily services, but all operations have now been halted until further notice.

Additionally, the bus service from Sirsa to Amritsar will now operate only up to Bathinda and the bus headed towards Karanpur in Rajasthan will be stopped at Sriganganagar. According to Kumar, these temporary changes will remain in place until the situation becomes stable and new orders are received.

The decision was taken because of the increasing threat in many districts of Punjab, where heavy checking is being carried out and police forces have stepped up their activity. As Sirsa district shares borders with both Punjab and Rajasthan, the administration is taking no chances and has implemented strong preventive actions to protect the public.

Along with transportation, emergency preparedness is also being prioritised. The Roadways Department has begun modifying some buses to be used as ambulances if needed. For this, bus seats are being removed.

The staff has been instructed to be on standby and ready to act quickly during any emergency. All drivers and conductors have also been issued clear instructions. They have been told that if a siren is heard, the bus must be stopped immediately and safely, without creating panic. In the case of a blackout, they are required to turn off all lights and move the vehicle to the side of the road.

The Health Department in Sirsa is also fully alert. At the Civil Hospital, arrangements have been made to treat up to 50 extra patients. Beds, medicines, ventilators and medical equipment have been stocked in advance. Special teams of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have been formed to handle emergency cases. To ensure the hospital is identified as a safe medical zone, a large “plus” symbol will be placed on the building, making it clearly visible even at night to avoid any accidental targeting.

Meanwhile, the Sirsa Municipal Council is also prepared for blackout situations. On Thursday night, all streetlights in the city were turned off as a trial safety measure.

The entire Sirsa district remains on alert, with full coordination between transport, health and civic departments to manage any situation that may arise.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Lakshit Sareen said that all arrangements are being made as per rules. He advised the public to stay aware and trust only the official information shared by the administration. He also mentioned that in the villages of the district, solar lights, which usually stay on during blackouts, are being covered so that these do not give off light in case of a blackout.